Excavating machine



y 2, 1957 A. c. TURNER ET AL 2,797,504

EXCAVATING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 28, 1955 --oooo-'-o Ni W y 1957 A. c. TURNER El AL 2,797,504

EXCAVATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 28, 1955 s Shets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. I Andrew C. Turner and BY /van 1 Foster.

% Mafia July 2, 1957 A. c. TURNER ET AL EXCAVATING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 28, 1955 A TT'OR/VE Y5.

Unite States Paten'thc EXCAVATING MACHINE Andrew Carl Turner and Ivan Vern Foster, Lees Summit, M0.

Application November 28, 1955, Serial No. 549,352

9 Claims. (Cl. 37-90) This invention relates to excavating machines, and more particularly to a machine for digging footings for building foundations, ditches and the like, removing the dirt therefrom and depositing said dirt in spaced relation thereto.

It is conventional practice in building construction to excavate the basement and then dig trenches by hand adjacent the walls of the excavation whereby concrete or other footings of the foundation extend below the basement floor. It is customary to dig the trenches wider than the thickness of the basement walls so the footings will be wider for additional bearing area in supporting the structure.

The objects of the present invention are to provide an excavating machine which eliminates substantially all hand digging of footings and is particularly adapted for digging trenches close to walls or other obstructions which make use of other forms of trenching equipment impractical or impossible; to provide an excavating machine embodying a bed-frame with traction members, an engine for imparting longitudinal travel of the bed-frame and a truck movable longitudinally of the bed-frame on tracks supported thereon and equipped with digging, elevating and discharging mechanism wherein the digging and elevating mechanism is at one side of the bed-frame; to provide a self-propelled excavating machine having digging buckets carried on an endless chain and flexible sweeps between certain buckets for cleaning loose dirt from the trench being dug; to provide such an excavating machine wherein the digging mechanism is adjustable vertically on the truck; to provide such an excavating machine with mechanism driving the digging mechanism independently of the traction mechanism; and to provide an excavating machine that is easily moved and operated. to efficiently dig trenches and the like and leave same relatively clean.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, we have provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an excavating machine embodying the features of our invention with portions broken away to show the digger raising mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the excavating machine.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the excavating machine.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the excavating machine taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the digger drive taken on the line 5--5, Fig. 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates an excavating machine which generally consists of a' base frame 2 supported on traction members 3, a truck 4 movable longitudinally of the bed-frame and carrying digging mechanism 5 and discharging mechanism 6.

The base frame 2 includes spaced side members 7 and,

by a plurality of spaced transverse members 9. The

\ l at e nted July 2, 1957 2 longitudinal side members 7 and 8 preferably are in the form of structural shapes such as channels having vertically arranged webs 10 and outwardly extending vertically spaced flanges 11. The frame also includes a plurality of spaced upright members 12 arranged in inwardly spaced relation to the side members 7 and 8 and a plurality of diagonal braces 13 to form a rigid super structure 14 supporting spaced longitudinally extending track members 15 and 16 at an elevation above the side members 7 and S and in inwardly spaced relation therefrom. The tracks 15 and 16 are preferably substantially parallel to the side members 7 and 8 and are of a length whereby the ends extend beyond the ends of the base frame 2 and traction members thereon. Each track 15 and 16 includes a vertical web 17 and an inwardly directed lower flange 18. In the illustrated structure, the track member 15 is shown as a channel and the track 16 is shown as an angle in cross section.

The traction members 3 are illustrated as being of the crawler or endless track type which includes a plurality of cleats 19 carried on endless chains 20 operatively engaging a plurality of sprockets 21 arranged whereby one track member is between the side member 7 and the super structure 14 and the other is between the side member 8 and the super structure 14.

The super structure 14, includes side plates 22 on which are rotatably mounted a plurality of the sprockets 21 intermediate the ends of the machine. The end sprockets adjacent one end of the machine are carried on shafts 23 rotatably mounted in bearings 24 carried on the side members 7 and 8 and operatively connected to an adjusting mechanism 25 for moving the bearings 24 longitudinally of the side members for tightening the track chain. The sprockets at the other end of the machine are carried by shafts which extend from the axle 26 arranged transversely of the base frame and preferably having its end portions carried by the side plates 22. The axle 26 preferably encloses a conventional differential mechanism operatively connected to an output shaft 27 of a transmission enclosed in a housing designated 28, the transmission being driven by a sprocket 29 operatively connected by a chain 30 to a sprocket 31 fixed to the output shaft 32 of a transmission in a housing 33 driven from a suitable prime mover such as an engine 34 carried on the base frame between the traction members, the engine 34 being illustrated at one side of the portion between the traction members and a fuel tank 35 on the opposite side thereof, said tank being for supplying fuel to the engine 34.

The structure above described serves as a self-propelled digger carrying mechanism and is arranged with crawler type traction members with the driving mechanism therebetween to form a carrying mechanism of low center of gravity and great stability. However, it is to be understood that the track forming members and supports therefor could be mounted on a conventional tractor or the like to provide a self-propelled excavating machine of similar characteristics. However, in the illustrated structure the engine 34 is arranged at one side of the longitudinal center of the base frame and the digging mechanism 5 extends from the opposite side of the base frame for added stability and suitable gear reductions are arranged between the engine and the rear axle to provide a desired variety of speeds and particularly a creeping speed for the machine. The transmissions 28 and 33 have gear shift levers 36 and 37 respectively and a clutch lever 38 is arranged to operate a clutch between the engine 34 and the transmission in the housing 33 for suitably controlling the driving of the traction members 3 in movement of the base frame 2. The engine 34 also has conventional speed controls (not shown) for further controlling of the machine, and suitable brakes (not shown) are arranged with each of the traction members and individually operated to aid in turning and maneuvering the machine.

The truck 4 includes spaced beams 39 extending'substan tially transversely of the super structure 14 and above the tracks 15 and 16, said beams being connected by an end member 40 at the ends thereof adjacent the track 16, and by intermediate members 41. The other ends of the beams 39 extend beyond the track 15 and are fixed to guide ways 42 extending downwardly therefrom. The ways 42 as illustrated each include angle members 43 and 44 with a flange of each secured together whereby the other flanges 45 and 46 respectively extend toward the other way and are spaced as at 47 to provide a guide channel for slidably mounting flanges 48 of columns 49 carrying the digging mechanism as later described. The lower ends of the ways 42 each have wheels 50 rotatably mounted thereon and engaged in the channel of the side member 7 for rolling movement therein. The beams 39 each have depending brackets 51 on which are rotatably mounted wheels 52 rollingly engaging the lower flange 18 of the track 15 and depending brackets 53 on which are rotatably mounted wheels 54 rollingly engaging the flange 18 of the track 16 to movably support the truck 4 for movement longitudiwhy of the machine. Braces 55 are arranged between the beams 39 and the ways 42 to form a rigid framework for the truck 4. t

The digging mechanism includes a frame or cage 56 mounted on the truck 4 for vertical adjustment up or down and comprises upright members 57 of which four may be provided which are tied together by crossbars 58 and diagonal brace members 59. The cage includes a top member 60 on which are carried bearing members 61 for rotatably mounting a shaft 62 arranged horizontally and substantially transversely of the base frame 2. A sprocket 63 is fixed to the shaft 62 intermediate the bearings 61 and an endless digger chain 64 is operatively engaged with said. sprocket 63. The chain 64 at the lower end of the cage is operatively engaged with a sprocket 65 arranged in the same plane as the sprocket 63 and fixed on a shaft 66 rotatably mounted in bearings 67 supported on extensions 68 extending downwardly from the lower end of the cage 56. The cage 56 is provided with arms 69 extending therefrom toward the base frame 2 and having ends fixed to the angle guide members or columns 49 whereby the flange 43 thereof is slidabily mounted in the guide ways 42. The lower end of the cage 56 is also provided with a lateral extension 70 which is connected to a cable 71 that extends upwardly therefrom and is wound on a shaft 72 which serves as a winch drum, the shaft being rotatably mounted in bearings '73 carried by the beams 39. One end of the shaft carries a worm gear 74 that is operatively engaged with a worm 75 on a shaft 76 suitably supported in bearings77 carried by one of the beams 39 whereby the shaft 76 extends transversely of the base frame to the side thereof opposite the digging mechanism and has a wheel 78 fixed on the end of the shaft whereby rotation of the wheel 73 turns the winch shaft 72 to wind or unwind the cable thereon and raise or lower the cage 56. The worm 75 and gear 74 are prefrably such that the cage will remain in selected elevated position; however, if desired, suitable pawls (not shown) may be utilized to hold the winch shaft against rotation.

Suitable digging devices such as buckets 79 are mounted in spaced relation on the chain 64, said buckets preferably being fixed to certain links of said chain at suitable intervals on the chain. Each of the buckets preferably have digging teeth 80 arranged on the sides thereof and teeth 31 on a transverse wall 82 thereof to facilitate digging of earth at the portion of therun of the chain adjacent the lower sprocket 65.

Sweeps 83 are arranged on the chain 64 between certain buckets 79, said sweeps each preferably consisting of a piece of heavy belting or like material having some flexibility arranged transversely of the chain 64 and having a width slightly more than the spacing between the cutting edges of the teeth 80, the sweeps having a length where by they extend from the chain 64 a distance slightly more than the cutting edges of the teeth 81 on the buckets whereby the side and end edges of the sweeps will engage the side and bottom of the trench being dug to sweep loose dirt and the like forwardly relative to the direction of travel of the digging machine.

The cage 56 has a frame extension 84 extending there from over the super structure 14 for cooperating with the cage in supporting the discharge mechanism 6 and a prime mover such as an engine 85 for driving the digging mechanism 5 and the discharge mechanism 6. The ex tension member 84 includes spaced frame members 87 connected by cross members 38 and provided with braces 89 connecting the frame members 87 with the cage 56 to provide a rigid extension. A plurality of upright posts 90 are fixed to the frame members 87 and arranged to support spaced lower conveyor frame members 91 which extend from the side of the cage 56 opposite the base frame 2 to beyond the other side of the base frame. The conveyor frame members 91 carry bearings 92 and 93 which rotatably mount pulleys 94 and 95 respectively over which operates a belt conveyor 96 whereby the belt conveyor extends through the cage 56 under the sprocket 63. The upper run of the belt 96 has its side margins supported in angle iron guides 97 supported on upright members 98 arranged on the conveyor frame members 91. Supports 99 are carried on the guide members 97 to mount a fuel tank 100 over the upper run of the belt 96 whereby the fuel tank provides fuel for the engine 85 and also is adjacent the end of the conveyor spaced from the cage 56 whereby the weight of the fuel aids in balancing the overhanging weight of the digger relative to the base frame 2.

A hopper 101 is supported by the cage 56 above the conveyor belt 96 and below the shaft 62 whereby the buckets 79 as they move over the sprocket 63 dump dirt into the hopper which in turn discharges same onto the upper run of the belt conveyor 96 for movement beyond the far side of the base frame.

The prime mover 85 is operatively connected through a transmission in a housing 102 to an output shaft 103 which is drivingly connected by power transmission mechanism 104 to a counter shaft 105 which in turn is operatively connected by a power transmission mechanism such as sprockets and chains 106 to the shaft 62. The shaft 62 is operatively connected by power transmission mechanism such as sprockets and chains 107 to a shaft 108 supported in spaced bearings 109 carried by the conveyor frame and extending laterally thereof. The shaft 108 has a gear 110 which operatively engages a gear 111 operatively connected to the drum 95 to drive the conveyor belt 96.

V In operating an excavating machine constructed and assembled as described, the wheel 78 is turned to wind the cable 71 on the drum shaft 72 to raise the cage 56 and the digging mechanism thereon above the lower run of the traction members 3. The engine 34 is then operated and the transmissions 28 and 33 adjusted for suitable speed and the clutch lever 38 then moved to effect driving engagement between the engine 34 and the axle 26 to move the traction members 3 whereby the machine can be moved into a basement excavation and arranged to position the side member 7 substantially parallel to the adjacent wall of said excavation and spaced therefrom whereby the teeth 80 on the side of the digging buckets next to the wall substantially engage said wall. Then the digging machine is moved until one run of the buckets 79 on the chain 64 is substantially engaged with an adjacent wall of the excavation next to the one along which the ditch is to be dug. Then suitable stops 112 are arranged in openings 113 in the track 16 to hold the truck 4 against longitudinal movement relative to the digging machine. The engine 84 is started and operatively engaged with the transmission mechanism to drive the diggingmechanism 5 and discharge mechanism 6. The wheel 78 is rotatedto unwind the cable 71 from the drum shaft 72 whereby gravitational forces acting on the digging mechanism will cause same tobe, lowered into digging engagement with the ground, the teeth on the buckets 79 digging into the ground as the cage is lowered until a suitable depth for the ditch is reached. Dirt dug by the buckets 79 is picked up thereby and carried up the run of the chain 64 and is dumped in the hopper 101 for delivery onto the belt conveyor 96 and conveyed beyond the opposite side of the digging machine where it is dumped on the ground or in a suitable hauling mechanism as desired. The engine 64 is then operated through the transmissions to effect a creeping speed to the digging mechanism to move same in line with the ditch to be dug and away from the adjacent wall, the creeping speed being such that the digging mechanism will continue to dig the ditch as the machine is moved and the buckets convey the dirt upwardly and dump same in the hopper 101 for discharge by the conveyor belt 96. As the digging mechanism is operated, the sweeps 83 continues to sweep the loose material forwardly relative to the ditch being dug to leave a substantially clean ditch at the rear of the machine. After the machine has progressed more than the length thereof, the stops 112 are removed and the transmissions 28 or 33 change to reverse the direction of travel of the traction members 3 whereby the truck 4 may then be moved along the tracks to position the truck and digging mechanism adjacent the opposite end of the digging machine. The stops 112 are then replaced in the selected openings 113 to hold the truck '4 at the opposite end of the digging machine and then the transmissions 28 or 83 again shifted to cause the machine to again move in the forward direction to continue the digging until the buckets on the uprun of the digging mechanism substantially engage the wall at the end of the ditch to be dug. After that ditch is dug, the machine is moved alongside other walls to dig additional desired ditches in the same manner.

It is to be understood that while we have illustrated and described one form of our invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar as such limitations are included in the claims.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In an excavating machine, a base frame having supporting traction members, means driving the traction members to move the machine in a selected path, a plurality of tracks laterally spaced from each other carried by the base frame and extending longitudinally thereof in the direction of travel of said machine along said path, a wheeled truck mounted on the tracks for movement longitudinally of the base frame, adjustable means retaining the truck in selected position longitudinally of the base frame, vertically arranged spaced guides secured to the truck at one side of the base frame, an endless chain digging mechanism, a cage carrying said digging mechanism and movably mounted on said spaced guides for vertical adjustment relative to the base frame, means on .the truck and operatively engaged with the cage for selectively raising and lowering same, said digging mechanism being so supported relative to said truck as to out in the direction of travel of said machine along said path and being of sufficient size to extend beyond either end of the machine when said truck is at a corresponding end of said machine, and an engine supported by the cage and operatively connected with the digging mechanism for driving same.

2. In an excavating machine, a base frame having supporting traction members, means driving the traction -members to move the machine in a selected path, a plurality of tracks laterally spaced from each other carried by the base frame and extending longitudinally thereof, a

wheeled truck mounted on the tracks for movement longitudinally of the base frame in the direction of travel of said machine along said path, adjustable means retaining the truck in selected position longitudinally ofthe base frame, vertically arranged spaced guides secured to the truck at one side of the base frame, an endless chain digging mechanism, a cage carrying said digging mechanism and movably mounted on said spaced guides for vertical adjustment relative to the base frame, means on the truck and operatively engaged with the cage for selectively raising and lowering same, conveyor mechanism carried by the cage and associated with the digging mechanism for receiving material therefrom and discharging same at the opposite side of the base frame, said digging mechanism being so supported relative to said truck as to cut in the direction of travel of said machine along said path and being of sufficient size to extend beyond either end of the machine when said truck is at a corresponding end of said machine, and an engine supported by the cage and operatively connected with the digging mechanism and conveyor mechanism for driving same.

3. In an excavating machine, a base frame having supporting traction members, means driving the traction members to move the machine in a selected path, a plurality of tracks laterally spaced from each other carried by the base frame and extending longitudinally thereof, a wheeled truck mounted on the tracks for movement longitudinally of the base frame in the direction of travel of said machine along said path, adjust-able means retaining the truck in selected position longitudinally of the base frame, vertically arranged spaced guides secured to the truck at one side of the base frame, an endless chain digging mechanism, a cage carrying said digging mechanism and movably mounted on said spaced guides for vertical adjustment relative to the base frame, sweep means on the chain digging mechanism for moving loose material along the area being dug, means on the truck and operatively engaged with the cage for selectively raising and lowering same, conveyor mechanism carried by the cage and associated with the digging mechanism for receiving material therefrom and discharging same at the opposite side of the base frame, said digging mechanism being so supported relative to said truck as to cut in the direction of travel of said machine along said path and being of sufficient size to extend beyond either end of the machine when said truck is at a corresponding end of said machine, and an engine on the cage and operatively connected with the digging mechanism and conveyor mechanism for driving same.

4. In an excavating machine, a base frame having latererally spaced supporting traction members adjacent the sides thereof, power means operatively connected with the traction members for driving same to move the base frame in a selected path, a plurality of tracks laterally spaced from each other carried by the base frame and extending longitudinally thereof, a wheeled truck mounted on the tracks for movement longitudinally of the base frame in the direction of travel of said machine along said path, adjustable means retaining the truck in selected position longitudinally of the base frame, spaced guide ways secured to the truck at one side of the base frame and extending vertically relative thereto, a cage having portions slidably mounted on said guide ways for vertical adjustment relative to the base frame, means on said truck and operatively engaged with said cage for selectively raising and lowering same, digging mechanism including a sprocket rotatably mounted on the upper end of the cage in a vertical plane parallel with the side of the base frame, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the lower end of the cage in the same plane as the sprocket at the upper end of the cage, an endless chain operatively engaged on the upper and lower sprockets, digging buckets carried by the endless chain and adapted to perform their excavating functions as they travel under the lower sprocket, said digging mechanism being so supported rela tive to said truck as to cut in the direction of travel of 7 said machine along said path and being of sufficient size to extend beyond either end of the machine when said truck is at a corresponding end of said machine, and power means operatively engaged with the sprockets for effecting digging movement of the digging bucket chain.

5. In an excavating machine, a base frame having laterally spaced supporting traction members adjacent the sides thereof, power means operatively connected with the traction members for driving same to move the base frame in a selected path, a plurality of tracks laterally spaced from each other carried by the base frame and extending longitudinally thereof and extending beyond the ends of the base frame and traction members thereon, a wheeled truck mounted on the tracks for movement longitudinally of the base frame in the direction of travel of said machine along said path, cooperative means on the wheeled truck and tracks for holding the truck against tilting movement longitudinally of the base frame, adjustable means retaining the truck in selected position longitudinally of the base frame, spaced guide ways secured to the truck at one side ofthe base frame and extending vertically relative thereto, a cage having portions slidably mounted on said guide Ways for vertical adjustment relative to the base frame, means on said truck and operatively engaged with said cage for selectively raising and lowering same, digging mechanism including a sprocket rotatably mounted on the upper end of the cage in a vertical plane parallel with the side of the base frame, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the lower end of the cage in the same plane as the sprocket at the upper end of the cage, an endless chain operatively engaged on the upper and lower sprockets, digging buckets carried by the endless chain and adapted to perform their excavating functions as they travel under the lower sprocket, said digging mechanism being so supported relative to said truck as to cut in the direction of travel of said machine along said path and being of sufiicient size to extend beyond either end of the machine when said truck is at a correspending end of said machine, and power means opera tively engaged with the sprockets for effecting digging movement of the digging bucket chain.

6. In an excavating machine, a base frame having laterally spaced supporting traction members adjacent the sides thereof, power means operatively connected with the traction members for driving same to move the base frame in a selected path, a plurality of tracks laterally spaced from each other carried by the base frame and extending longitudinally thereof and extending beyond the ends of the base frame and traction members thereon, a wheeled truck mounted on the tracks for movement longitudinally of the base frame in the direction of travel of said machine along said path, cooperative means on the wheeled truck and tracks for holding the truck against tilting movement longitudinally of the base frame, adjustable means retaining the truck in selected position longitudinally of the base frame, spaced guide ways secured to the truck at one side of the base frame and extending vertically relative thereto, a cage having portions slidably mounted on said guide ways for vertical adjustment relative to the base frame, means on said truck and operatively engaged with said cage for selectively raising and lowering same, digging mechanism including a sprocket rotatably mounted on the upper end of the cage in a vertical plane parallel with the side of the base frame, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the lower end of the cage in the same plane as the sprocket at the upper end of the cage, an endless chain operatively engaged on the upper and lower sprockets, digging buckets carried by the endless chain and adapted to perform their excavating functions as they travel under the lower sprocket, flexible members carried by the endless chain between certain digging buckets and having edges extending beyond the surfaces engaged by the digging portions of said buckets to sweep loose material in the excavation, said digging mechanism being so supported relative to said truck as to cut in the direction of travel of said machine along said path and being of sufficient size to extend beyond either end of the machine when said truck is at a corresponding end of said machine, and power means operatively engaged with the sprockets for effecting digging movement of the digging bucket chain.

7. In an excavating machine, a base frame having laterally spaced supporting traction members adjacent the sides thereof, power means operatively connected with the traction members for driving same to move the base frame in a selected path, a plurality of tracks laterally spaced from each other carried by the base frame and extending longitudinally thereof, a wheeled truck mounted Onthe tracks for movement longitudinally of the base frame in the direction of travel of said machine along said path, adjustable means retaining the truck in selected position longitudinally of the base frame, spaced guide ways secured to the truck at one side of the base frame and extending vertically relative thereto, a cage having portions slidably mounted on said guide ways for vertical adjustment relative to the base frame, means on said truck and operatively engaged with said cage for selectively raising and lowering same, digging mechanism including a sprocket rotatably mounted on the upper end of the H cage in a vertical plane parallel with the side of the base frame, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the lower end of the cage in the same plane as the sprocket at the upper end of the cage, and endless chain operatively engaged on the upper and lower sprockets, digging buckets carried by the endless chain and adapted to perform their excaving functions as they travel under the lower sprocket, an extension on said cage and extending therefrom over the truck, a conveyor frame carried by the extension and extending through the cage between the runs of the endless chain and beyond the other side of the base frame, an endless belt conveyor on the conveyor frame and extending the length thereof and in a position to receive material from the digging buckets as they pass over the upper sprocket, said digging mechanism being so sup ported relative to said truck as to cut in the direction of travel of said machine along said path and being of sufficient size to extend beyond either end of the machine when said truck is at a corresponding end of said machine, an engine carried by the extension, and means operatively connecting the engine to the sprockets and to the belt conveyor for driving same whereby the digging buckets move to perform an excavating operation and elevate the material therefrom and dump it on to the conveyor belt for discharge on the opposite side of the base frame from the cage,

3; In an excavating machine, a base frame having laterally spaced supporting traction members adjacent the sides thereof, power means operatively connected with the traction members for driving same to move the base frame in a selected path, a plurality of tracks laterally spaced from each other carried by the base frame and extending longitudinally thereof and extending beyond the ends of the base frame and traction members thereon, a wheeled truck mounted on the tracks for movement longitudinally of the base frame in the direction of travel of said machine along said path, adjustable means retaining the trucl; in selected position longitudinally of the base frame, spaced guide ways secured to the truck at one side of the base frame and extending vertically relative thereto, a cage having portions slidably mounted on said guide ways for vertical adjustment relative to the base frame, means on said truck and operatively engaged with said cage for selectively raising and lowering same, digging mechanism including a sprocket rotatably mounted on the upper end of the cage in a vertical plane parallel with the side of the base frame, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the lower end of the cage in the same plane as the sprocket at the upper end of the cage, an endless chain operatively engaged on the upper and lower sprockets, digging buckets carried by the endless chain and adapted to perform their excavating functions as they travel under the lower sprocket, an extension on said cage and extending therefrom over the truck, a conveyor frame carried by the extension and extending through the cage between the runs of the endless chain and beyond the other side of the base frame, an endless belt conveyor on the conveyor frame and extending the length thereof, hopper means on the cage above the conveyor and in a position to receive material from the digging buckets as they pass over the upper sprocket, said digging mechanism being so supported relative to said truck as to cut in the direction of travel of said machine along said path and being of sufficient size to extend beyond either end of the machine when said truck is at a corresponding end of said machine, an engine carried by the extension, and means operatively connecting the engine to the sprockets and to the belt conveyor for driving same independently of the drive of the traction members on the bed frame, whereby the digging buckets move to perform an excavating operation and elevate the material therefrom and dump it in the hopper for delivery to the conveyor belt for discharge on the opposite side of the base frame from the cage.

9. In an excavating machine, a base frame having laterally spaced supporting traction members adjacent the sides thereof, power means operatively connected with the traction members for driving same to move the base frame in a selected path, a plurality of tracks laterally spaced from each other carried by the base frame and extending longitudinally thereof and extending beyond the ends of the base frame and traction members thereon, a Wheeled truck mounted on the tracks for movement longitudinally of the base frame in the direction of travel of said machine along said path, cooperative means on the wheeled truck and tracks for holding the truck against tilting movement longitudinally of the base frame, adjustable means retaining the truck in selected position longitudinally of the base frame, spaced guide ways secured to the truck at one side of the base frame and extending vertically relative thereto, a cage having portions slidably mounted on said guide ways for vertical adjustment relative to the base frame, means on said truck and operatively engaged with said cage for selectively raising and lowering same, digging mechanism including a sprocket rotatably mounted on the upper end of the cage in a vertical plane parallel With the side of the base frame, a sprocket rotatably mounted on the lower end of the cage in the same plane as the sprocket at the upper end of the cage, an endless chain operatively engaged on the upper and lower sprockets, digging buckets carried by the endless chain and adapted to perform their excavating functions as they travel under the lower sprocket, flexible members carried by the endless chain between certain digging buckets and having edges extending beyond the surfaces engaged by the digging portions of said buckets to sweep loose material in the excavation, an extension on said cage and extending therefrom over the truck, a conveyor frame carried by the extension and extending through the cage between the runs of the endless chain and beyond the other side of the base frame, an endless belt conveyor on the conveyor frame and extending the length thereof, hopper means on the cage above the conveyor and in a position to receive material from the digging buckets as they pass over the upper sprocket, said digging mechanism being so supported relative to said truck as to cut in the direction of travel of said machine along said path and being of sufficient size to extend beyond either end of the machine when said truck is at a corresponding end of said machine, and engine carried by the extension, and means operatively connecting the engine to the sprockets and to the belt conveyor for driving same independently of the drive of the traction members on the bed frame, whereby the digging buckets move to perform an excavating operation and elevate the material therefrom and dump it in the hopper for delivery to the conveyor belt for discharge on the opposite side of the base frame from the cage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,038,915 Lyback Sept. 17, 1912 1,347,860 Krupp July 27, 1920 1,535,509 Ursino Apr. 28, 1925 

